“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” – 1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)
There were some beautiful decorative plants in our yard. My aunt joyfully tended to them. She watered them, added manure, removed weeds, and so forth. What a beauty they were indeed!
It so happened that my aunt took a vacation, and I was left with the task of looking after these beauties. Being accustomed to how good the plants looked, I didn’t bother to give them any attention other than a glance until, one day; I observed the plants drooping. I quickly got the watering can and drenched the plants with water. My aunt would return soon, and I would hate for her to meet dead or unhealthy plants. This could have been avoided if I had only paid attention to the plants.
So it is sometimes in our family. We live each day but fail to pay attention. We may take a glance but are not careful to observe. Things may appear well, but underlying issues are waiting to manifest in the natural. In many instances, these matters could not have developed overnight.
We are admonished in 1 Corinthians 10:12 to take heed; to be careful. We may think we are standing strong and that all is well, but we can fall if we are not mindful. 1 Peter 5:8 also instructs us to be sober and vigilant because we have an enemy, the devil, who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Dear brothers and sisters, do not allow what happened to our beautiful plants through neglect to happen to your beautiful family. God requires us to be alert, watchful, conscious, and discerning, and not give way to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Address every area of your life and family prayerfully and through the wisdom of God. Pay attention, dear brothers and sisters, pay attention.
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word that calls us to attention. Forgive us for neglecting or dealing with our family casually. Help us to be alert, sober, and watchful. Give us the Spirit of discernment and teach us to operate in wisdom, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Read: Genesis 4:7; Ephesians 4:27
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 8:12-21; Luke 7:36-50; Numbers 26:12-65; Numbers 27:1-11
